An Indicator-Based Approach for Analysing the Resilience of Transitions for Energy Regions. Part II: Empirical Application to the Case of Weiz-Gleisdorf, Austria

Romano Wyss,Susan Mühlemeier,Claudia Binder

doi:10.3390/en11092263

Romano Wyss, Susan Mühlemeier + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en11092263

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Aug 28, 2018
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Abstract

In this paper, we apply an indicator-based approach to measure the resilience of energy regions in transition to a case study region in Austria. The indicator-based approach allows to determine the resilience of the transition of regional energy systems towards higher shares of renewables and potentially overall higher sustainability. The indicators are based on two core aspects of resilience, diversity and connectivity. Diversity is thereby operationalized by variety, disparity and balance, whereas connectivity is operationalized by average path length, degree centrality and modularity. In order to get a full picture of the resilience of the energy system at stake throughout time, we apply the measures to four distinct moments, situated in the pre-development, take-off, acceleration and stabilization phase of the transition. By contextually and theoretically embedding the insights in the broader transitions context and empirically applying the indicators to a specific case, we derive insights on (1) how to interpret the results in a regional context and (2) how to further develop the indicator-based approach for future applications.

Highlights

Local and regional energy systems are important entities in the current energy transition towards a low-carbon, renewable energy system [1,2]
They have investigated the role of guiding visions and foresight, the number and characteristics of actors and arenas involved in the transition process, the course of the institutionalization process, or the development of the energy and material flows over
We have restricted ourselves to actors in the social subsystem that are in one way or the other engaged in the transition towards higher shares of renewables in the energy system and the infrastructure(s) that are linked to the proliferation of renewable energy

Summary

Introduction

Local and regional energy systems are important entities in the current energy transition towards a low-carbon, renewable energy system [1,2]. Renewable energy regions (100ee-Regionen) have emerged on a regional scale, with similar initiatives at city and community level [5,6,7]. Some of these regions have been quite successful in the energy transition, building new institutional structures and increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the regional energy supply, while being able to export energy to other regions [8,9,10,11,12,13]. Several authors have analysed the relevant factors for an energy transition at a regional level to be successful. They have investigated the role of guiding visions and foresight, the number and characteristics of actors and arenas involved in the transition process, the course of the institutionalization process, or the development of the energy and material flows over

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Discussion

Conclusion